Fountain-pen



`2 sheetssheet l1.

(No Model.)

FOUNTAIN PEN.

i No. 450,197. Patented Apr..14, 1891.

nw ilil il lkw/z' MMM (No Model.) y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. L. A. SHATTUCK. FOUNTAIN PEN.

N0. 450,197. Patented Apr. 14, 189I.

. section of the same.

NITED STATES PATENT Tirion.

LAFOREST A. SI-IATTUCK, OF BLOOMSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,197, dated April 14, 1891.

Application tiled September 19, 1890. Serial No. 365,468. (No model.) I

To colt whom t may concern:

Be it. known that I, LAFoREsT A. SHATTUCK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bloomsburg, in the county of Columbia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fountain- Pens, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to fountain-pens and it consists in the peculiar construction and combination of parts herein shown and described and specifically claimed.

Many unavailing efforts have heretofore been 'made to construct an under-feed pen which would work as perfectly as an upper feed, all resulting at best in an irregular flow of the ink and none giving as prompt response to the iirst stroke of the pen in writing as the upper feed. My present device overcomes in the most simple manner all difficulties of this character, and I am now able to construct a pen which works as well when adjusted for a lower feed as for an upper feed and admitting of greater ease in the adjustment of its parts.

Referring to the drawings, which are made part of this specification, Figures 1 and 1 I are central horizontal longitudinal sections of pens, illustrating preferred modes of einbodying my invention when employing a single feed with the long governor. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through theline fr o of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the line w w of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a cross-section in the line of Fig. l. Fig. 5 is atop plan'view of the combined pen-seat and feed device shown in Fig. l, and Fig. G is a central longitudinal Fig. 7 is a plan view of the pen. Figs. S to 27 show slight changes in the arrangementVv and construction of some of the parts.

A is the reservoir, which may be in the forni of a cylindrical, hexagonal, or octagonal tube. It has atits upper end aplug B, adapted to t air-tight by a screw-thread joint or otherwise. The rear end of this plug has the usual seat for an ordinarily-constructed -cap when the pen isin use. Its forward end from the screw-thread forward is reduced in size and has its socket b extending nearly to the rear end of the plug. This socket is to pro- This reduced justing the governor.

portion ofthe plug could be constructed separately and suitably attached to the plug, or it might be dispensed With, as the screwthread portion could contain a socket sufficiently deep for the adjustment of the governor, provided the latter was made sufficiently long, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, or a socket may be formed in the upper end of the nozzle, as in Figs. 22, 24, and 25, which I prevfer on the ground of economy.

As is plainly shown by Fig. l, the plug B may be formed in two parts to provide a means for operating the governor at its vrear end. The part B is double screw-threaded and adapted to register with the rear end of the reservoir and open end ofthe part'BQ, which is removable for the purpose of ad- The part B may be internally screw-threaded to receive a corresponding thread on the governor; but a frictional hold, as shown in Fig. S, will answer very well. The reduced extension b of the socket b extends above the ink-line, so that no ink will be liable to escape through the socket; but should any ink so escape the part B2 of the plug will retain it.

The open or forward end of the reservoir may be counterbored for a short distance, as

This passage has a right-angled shoulder, as at c, formed about one-sixteenth of an inch in from the front end of the passage. This shoulder,against which the right-angled shoulder on the pen abuts to preventlateral movements of the pen, also formsa stop to prevent IOO out shoulders, as the wall of the rear end of the nozzle must be formed thick enough to provide for the safety chamber groove c3, so as not to weaken the nozzle at that point. The end of the nozzle which ttsinto the reservoir is made longer than usual and screw-threaded for a portion of its length only. This portion has a mouth iiaring rearwardly to lead the ink quickly into the nozzle. Between the screw-thread and the frictional molding c4 I form upon its periphery a radial groove or depression c3, not less than one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch wide and cut to a suitable depth to form a chamber large enough to catch what ink is forced along the screwthread when adjusting thc nozzle to the reservoir.

It is a great convenience to have a fountain-pen case formed in separable parts for filling; but the oozing of ink out around the joint when adjusting the parts has proved a serious annoyance. I partially overcame this difficulty in a former application by extending the nozzle slightl)7V beyond the screwthread in reduced diameter. l now form the screw-thread upon the extreme end and reduce its diameter forward of the point of attachment to the reservoir, whereby a recess or chamber G, which I term a safety-chamber, is formed, which catches the ink and furnishes the best safeguard against difficulties such as named. At the forward end of this chamber I may form a pivot or shoulder c7 large enough to closely tit into the recessed end of the reservoir to strengthen the nozzle at this point; but this will notbe necessary if the walls of the nozzle are made sufficiently thick and strong. At the forward end of the cap-seat c5 on the nozzle I form a milled depression 06 t-o provide greater frictional hold for the fingers in unscrewing the nozzle. Upon the periphery of the nozzle at its front endI form an abrupt re-cnforcement, ridge, or molding cs for a finger-stop, as more fully set forth in a previous application. The nozzle may be internally screw-threaded, as in Fig. 24, at its upper end to form a socket for the governor.

D is the ink-suspension rod and governor. Its rear portion may be adapted to be held by a screw-thread or by friction or otherwise in a suitable socket or passage, as Z9', for instance, provided for its longitudinal adjustment either in the plug B or upper end of the nozzle. Fig. 8 shows a bulbed end to aid in its support. It is formed by splitting the end and conforming the two lips thus formed, by heat or otherwise, into shape like a bulb, as at b. Its forward cud is preferably tapering or conical and adapted to tit in a preferably conical-shaped passage c in the nozzle, and is suspended intermediate of the walls of said passage, forming a conical-shaped annular suspension-passage or ink-Weir, wherein ink is allowed to accumulate, and by reason of the attraction of adhesion existing between the ink and the walls of an annular passage of this character the main body of the ink is sustained and the ingress of air controlled, as vmore fully set forth in a previous application. Vhen the passage c is made conical, the free end of the governor need not be tapered; but I prefer to so construct it.

E is the combined pen-seat and feeding device. (Clearlyshown inthedra'wings.) Its preferable form for an under and double feed (see Figs. l, 5, 6, and 24) has a base or body e, adapted to lit the bore ot' the nozzle, said body portion having a horizontal passage e extending from end to end through it, preferably conical, or having a series of steps formed by making said passage with a number of different-sized drills, as shown in Fig. l* the object being to make the pen sensitive to the least movement of the governor longitudinally in gaging the flow of ink by .regulating the ink-supply.

From one side of the body a tapering lip e2 extends forward to nearly the point of the pen. From near the point of this lip on its pen-surface a peripheral longitudinal groove or slot c extends to the rear end of the body portion. This is to form with the pen an inclosed ink-channel direct to the nibs. The body portion may be bisected by a slit to form two arms, as es, to facilitate the passage of ink; or instead of a slit one or more cross or deflectin g passages may be cut, as at e7, for the escape of ink from the channel e to the ink-Weir and to furnish a circulation lin the nozzle, so that all ink will run back into the reservoir when not in use.

Fountain-pens which do not have a `direct ink-channel to the pen, but depend upon cap-Y illary attraction to draw the ink down, are liable to clog, as suflicient ink will be retained between the pen and feed-bar to dry up and form a gumv difficult to remove. count a gravity-pen, if constructed as herein described, is found most reliable. The rear end of the body portion of the feed device may have a slit along the bottomV of the chan. nel e', penetrating to the passage c', as an groove e the entire length of its body portion. The front end of the body portion is provided with a suitable pen-seat to receive and hold the shank of the pen. The pen F maybe curved or flat, and is preferablyformed .with shouldersff to abut against the shoulder c in the nozzle and thus prevent lateral movements of the pen.

The construction of my fountain-pen is simple, being free from all complications and effectually overcomes all objections to under-l On this ac-v IIO feed pens, as its response to the first .stroke of the pen when adjusted for an under feed is as prompt as with the upper feed, and will not blot or skip, and has the upper surface ofv the pen unblemished by ink and feed-bars, which to some are objectionable. It has the further merit of cheapuess of construction and Vready adjustment of its parts. It will also be readily understood by reference to the drawings that the governor not only regulates the flow of ink, but also keeps the nozzle clean.

Fig. 10 shows the feeding device with one passage through it. The pen-slot bisects this passage at its front end, leaving a portion of The passage above Ithe pen for the ink-weil', which has its open end above the pen.

In Fig. 11 I show the feed-channel formed within or through the body portion and the ink-Weir passage formed by a groove on the periphery. The penis seated in a transverse slot and the governor formed like a flat watchkey with tapering point adapted to the shape of the groove. Its central portion mpinges against the walls of the nozzle and its rear end projects beyond the rear end of the nozzle, by which means it is operated longitudi nally.

Fig. 1* shows slight changes in the feed` device E to adapt it to an upper feed. The pen is seated in a transverse slot cut across the center of its body portion. rlhe feedchannel e. is cut along the under side of the lip e2 to form an ink-channel over the pen. The mouth of the passage c is made flaring outwardly, but from a contracted throat opposite the heel of the pen said passage is liaring rearwardly by a series of steps. The rear end ofthe body of this feeder is bisected by a slit extending forward to intercept the feedchannel groove e', as shown in my pat-ent previously cited. The governor is adjusted in a socket formed in the rear end of the reservoir and held by friction.

lHaving described my pen as constructed with a separable governor, I now proceed to show how a governor may be formed integral with the pen-seat and feed device, so as to secure an annular ink-Weir beneath the pen, as shown in Figs. 12 to 21. I take a piece of rubber tubing in cylindrical form large enough to fit the bore of the nozzle, having a small perforation through it. I bisect this at its forward end transversely for about half its length through the center of its perforation. I then cut off part of the under half, leaving a short lip for the governor D. The upper lip e2 is'cut down thin enough to form a iiexible feeder, leaving a shoulder d. (See Fig. l5.) I then cut ink-grooves on the side and on the bottom the full length of the body. The under lip or governor D is tapered on all sides toward its point, so that when the pen is adjusted in the slit its edges will impinge against the side Walls of the nozzle, holding the body of the feeder against the upper side of the nozzle, but leaving an annular passage around the lip D beneath the pen. The rear end view of this combined feed device and governor is show-n in Fig. 13 and a side elevation in Fig. 15, while Fig. 14 is a cross-section in the line z .e of Fig. 15.

Fig. '16 is a rear end view of a modification to the extent that only one groove is formed, which may be on the bottom or side, giving two passages instead of four.

Fig. 17 shows the rear end of the feeder chamfercd off on two sides to form ink-passages instead of grooves and bisected by a horizontal slit extending forward to near the end of the governor-point D, forming two parallel bars, broadly claimed in my patent No. 402,864.

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of a combined will always be brought down and suspended in the ink-Weir c around the governor-point D' channel over the pen and insure a steady iiow. On account of the cheapness of construction and ready adjustment for a lower or .upper feed, I sometimes employ these forms when using a steel pen. I prefer to employ aseparable governor having a tapering point entirely ndisconnected from the feed device, as I can thereby better regulate the flow of ink.

Fig. 22 shows the pen attached to the side walls of the frontend of the nozzle, a channeled semicylindrical feeder E, abutting against the shoulder c2, and a tapered ovalshaped governor D, forming beneath the pen the conical-shaped ink-Weir c.

Fig. 23 shows a feeder passed through the pen, as claimed in a former application, and a governor D, having an angular body impinging against the rear of the nozzle, and having two tapered points or prongs forming an annular ink-weir on both sides of the pen, above and below. Spaces are left open on either side of the body of this governor for the passage of ink. I may extend the lower prong as far forward as the slit in the pen and bend it up, so as to form an ink-retainer.

. (Shown in a former application.)

Fig. 24 shows a screw-threaded socket in the upper end of the nozzle. The governor has a cylindrical body, screw-threaded, as at d2, and peripheral grooves for ink-passages, claimed in a former application, and a combined feed and pen-supporting bar H, having its rear end seated beneath'the pen and its forward portion passed through a perforated writing-pen and resting upon or in and will be deliected into the inclosed ink` IOO IIO

close proximity to the nibs to give support to a flexible pen. Having broadly claimed this manner of adjusting a top-feed in a former application, I wish now simply to show how it may be employed in combination with my feed device E and governor D. The under feed is constructed the same, except that it is cut away beneath the heel of the pen to provide a seat for the rear end of the bar H.

Fig. 24J is a cross-section through the line c of Fig. 24.

Fig. 25 shows a simple but excellent way of adjusting the governor by means of a tubularsocket secured in the rear end of the nozzle. It is the same in principle as the tubular button shownin a former application, except that it is cut away on two sides to form inkpassages and has a reduced portion extending forward-Kto the heel of the pen and a reduced portion extending beyond the rear end of the nozzle for adjusting purposes. A short cylindrical or prismatic governor is adjusted in this socket, and its slightest longitudinal adjustment will change the feeding power of the pen.

Fig. 25* is a cross-section through the line ,e e, Fig. 25.

Fig. 26 shows a semi-cylindrical grooved feeder adjusted over the pen. The pen is secured to the side walls of the nozzle. The governor has a tubularbody from the forward end of which a tapering lipv extends beneath the pen.

Fig. 27 shows the nozzle and reservoir sections constructed in one piece, which has the merit of cheapness. Thev pen and feeder can be easily removed for filling.

It is evident that slight changes in the manner of constructing and adjusting the governor might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of this portion of my invention, which com prehends arod longitudinally adjustable by a screw-thread or otherwise, having its extreme front end tapering or cone shaped or adapted to form with a suitablyshaped socket-passage atapering or cone-- shaped annular passage or ink-Weir open to the airat its forward end at the mouth of the nozzle by which ink is sustained and ingress of air controlled and the flow of ink regulated by said longitudinal adjustment. It has been found in practice that the nearer to the front of the nozzle the ink is brought down and sustained in an annular ink-Weir open to the air beneath the pen the more regular and certain. will be the flow of ink and less liable to blot. In constructing the safety-chamber care should be taken not to form it so narrow as to be ineffectual and not so deep as to weaken the nozzle at this point.,

`ting the reservoir nearits forward end, as

shown in my patent No. 423,822. Other ways might be suggested for operating the governor inward and outward, and therefore IV do not wish to be limited tothe special-mauner shown.

A pen constructed with an adaptable feed adjustment in the manner described is readily adjustable to any hand or grade of ink and will always be clean and free from all objectionable features.

It will be readily understood by reference I to the drawings. that the governor acts as a self-cleaner when adjusting the nozzle4 to the reservoir. It will also be seen that should one desire to write a coarse hand requiring an excessive amount of ink the governor may be removed temporarily, when the pen will feed rapidly, though less amenable to control.

My governor when extending through the reservoir should not be confounded with those known constructions having fixed rods permanently attached to the upper end of the reservoir, with their front ends terminating at the heel of the pen and serving as feeders, or used for the support of adjustable needles in stylographic pens.

An important feature in my invention relates to the construction and longitudinal adjustment of a governing suspension-rod having a free point suspended intermediate of the wall of a cone-shaped 4passage forming forward of the heel of an ordinary split-nib pen a tapering annular ink-Weir, by which the feed is graduated to meet the requirements of the writer; but I do not conne myself to a construction comprising said governor.

l. In a fountain-pen, a safety-chamber, as G, formed between the periphery of the rea-r end of the nozzle and front end of the reservoir, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. A fountain-pen nozzle having a radial groove or depression, as c3, between its screwthread portion and friction-molding c4, whereby a safety-chamber, as G, is formed between said depressed portion and front end of the reservoir, substantially as described.

3. A fountain-pen reservoir recessed at its forward end, as at d, to form a safety-chamber, as G, substantially as described.

IOO

IIO

L1. In afountain-pen having a safety-chamber, as G, the pivot or shoulder ci, substantially as `and for the purposes described.

5. In a fountain-pen, a nozzle having a milled depression, as c, substantially as described. j

6. A fountain-pen comprising in its construction a split-nib Writing-pen, a feed-bar bearing upon the nibs of the pen, a governor, as D, independent of the feed-bar, having a free point adapted to regulate by longitudinal adjustment the admission of air and the flow of ink, and a plug, as B, having socketpassage b for the support and adjust-ment of said governor, substantially as described.

7. A fountain-pen comprising in its combination a split-nib pen, a feed-bar bearing upon the nibs of the pen, a governor, as D, independent of the feed-bar, having a suitable socket provided for its support and adjustment with its forward free end in tapering form, and its rear end projecting a suitable distance into the reservoir, and a nozzle having a cone-shaped passage adapted to renel forward of the heel of the pen,a feed# channel, as e', and one or more cross-passages, as at e7, substantially as described.

10. A fountain-pen having a reservoir provided With a plug B, a nozzle having a safetychamber, as G, a feed device having passages c e,and a governorhavin ga free pointadapted to form with the passage c a conical-shaped ink-Weir, wherein the flow of ink is regulated by longitudinal adjustment, substantially as described.

11. A fountain-pen comprising in its construction a nozzle counterbored to form a square shoulder, as at c, and a pen having shoulders f f abutting against said nozzleshoulder, whereby undue lateral movements of the pen are prevented, substantially as described.

12. A fountain-pen comprising in its construction asafety-chamber, as G, and a nozzle shouldered or re-enforced, as at c2, substantially as and for the purposes described.

13. A fountain-pen having a safety-chainber, as G, and a nozzle-passage flaring rearwardly at its 4reservoir end, substantially as described.

14. In afountain-pen, a feed device, as E,hav in ga cylindrical body e, perforated by a coneshaped passage, as c', extending its full length, with a horizontal opening at its front enda tapering lip e2, provided With an ink-channel formed by a groove or slot, as e', cut in its periphery and extending from near its point to the rear end of the body portion and having a suitable pen-seat formed on 0r in the body of said feeder, substantially as described.

15. In a fountain-pen comprising in its construction a split-nib pen and a feed-bar bearing upon the nibs of the pen, a longitudinallyadjustable governingrod independent of the feed device, having a screw-thread hold or adjustment and with its free point forming Wit-hin the nozzle an annular passage, substantially asdescribed.

16. In a fountain-pen, in combination, a reservoir, a nozzle, a pen, a governor, as D, and a combined pen-seat and feed device E, provided with a cylindrical body e, having passage c', horizontally open at both ends for the passage of said governor, and havinga tapering lip eprovided upon its periphery With channel e', extending to the main channel of the nozzle, substantially as described.

17. In a fountain-pen, a feed device,- as E, having body e, with open passage c extend` ing from end to end and bisected to form two lateral arms, as es, and having a tapering lip e2, provided with a suitable ink-channel, as e', cut in its outerperiphery and extending along the upper surface of said lip from near its point to the main passage of thenozzle, substantially as described.

1S. A fountain-pen provided with a splitnib writing-pen, an open cone-shaped passage, as c', and a device, as the governor D, having a free point adapted to be passed through said open passage, whereby the nozzle is cleaned by the longitudinal movement of said governor, substantially as described.

. 19. In a fountain-pen, the combination of a reservoir, a nozzle, a pen, pen-seat E, and feedbar II with the governor D, all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my naine, in presence of two witnesses, this 11th day of September, 1890.

LAFOREST A. SHATTUCK.

lVitnesses:

E. ELLsWoRTH RHEN, A. R. SHATTU-OK.

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